Allotinus unicolor unicolor

Lesser Darkwing

Family:

Lycaenidae

Subfamily:

Miletinae

Genus

Allotinus

Species:

unicolor

Subspecies:

unicolor

Common Name:

Lesser Darkwing

Life History:

partial

Extant in countries:

•Thailand •Malaysia •Singapore

DescriptionThe butterfly is reddish brown on the upperside with a variable underside. Typically, the undersides are greyish brown with darker brown markings. The males have a more pointed forewing than the females, and possess a brand on the upperside of the forewings. The females have their hindwings dentately sinuate, as is seen in this photo.

Habitat & HabitsThe butterfly has a weak and erratic flight and appear to fly non-stop for several minutes around a limited area. However, when it does stop to rest on a leaf, usually with its wings folded upright, the careful observer can approach it for a closer look without scaring it into flight.

Other ObservationsOccasionally several individuals are observed in a particular location in the nature reserves, only to disappear for several years and not seen again. Then it appears in some other location in numbers again.

Early StagesThis species belongs to a genus of butterflies in which the caterpillar stage is "carnivorous". The caterpillars of Allotinus unicolor unicolor feed mainly on aphids but also sometimes on coccids, psyllids and membracids.

Early Stages Photos

Allotinus unicolor unicolor

Lesser Darkwing

Family:

Lycaenidae

Subfamily:

Miletinae

Genus

Allotinus

Species:

unicolor

Subspecies:

unicolor

Common Name:

Lesser Darkwing

Life History:

partial

Extant in countries:

•Thailand •Malaysia •Singapore

DescriptionThe butterfly is reddish brown on the upperside with a variable underside. Typically, the undersides are greyish brown with darker brown markings. The males have a more pointed forewing than the females, and possess a brand on the upperside of the forewings. The females have their hindwings dentately sinuate, as is seen in this photo.

Habitat & HabitsThe butterfly has a weak and erratic flight and appear to fly non-stop for several minutes around a limited area. However, when it does stop to rest on a leaf, usually with its wings folded upright, the careful observer can approach it for a closer look without scaring it into flight.

Other ObservationsOccasionally several individuals are observed in a particular location in the nature reserves, only to disappear for several years and not seen again. Then it appears in some other location in numbers again.

Early StagesThis species belongs to a genus of butterflies in which the caterpillar stage is "carnivorous". The caterpillars of Allotinus unicolor unicolor feed mainly on aphids but also sometimes on coccids, psyllids and membracids.

Early Stages Photos

Photos

Allotinus unicolor unicolor

Lesser Darkwing

Family:

Lycaenidae

Subfamily:

Miletinae

Genus

Allotinus

Species:

unicolor

Subspecies:

unicolor

Common Name:

Lesser Darkwing

Life History:

partial

Extant in countries:

•Thailand •Malaysia •Singapore

DescriptionThe butterfly is reddish brown on the upperside with a variable underside. Typically, the undersides are greyish brown with darker brown markings. The males have a more pointed forewing than the females, and possess a brand on the upperside of the forewings. The females have their hindwings dentately sinuate, as is seen in this photo.

Habitat & HabitsThe butterfly has a weak and erratic flight and appear to fly non-stop for several minutes around a limited area. However, when it does stop to rest on a leaf, usually with its wings folded upright, the careful observer can approach it for a closer look without scaring it into flight.

Other ObservationsOccasionally several individuals are observed in a particular location in the nature reserves, only to disappear for several years and not seen again. Then it appears in some other location in numbers again.

Early StagesThis species belongs to a genus of butterflies in which the caterpillar stage is "carnivorous". The caterpillars of Allotinus unicolor unicolor feed mainly on aphids but also sometimes on coccids, psyllids and membracids.

Further ReadingTo be detailed.

Early Stages Photos

Egg

Caterpillar

Pupa

Photos

Viewing Image

Random Picture

Acknowledgements

This checklist is updated regularly and validated
in consultation with Dr Laurence G Kirton (Forest
Research Institute of Malaysia), and previously, the
late Col John N Eliot, (of the Butterflies of the
Malay Peninsula, Edition 4). Contributions to the
sightings and latest additions to the Singapore
Checklist are with special thanks to the hardworking
members of ButterflyCircle.

Singapore is home to 324 species of
butterflies, that are feeding on 187 species of
hostplants.

Legend for Life History record:
Completed
Partial
None

Updates

The latest update in 2008 is consistent with the recent
re-classification developments and updates to C&P4 in the
Malaysian Nature Journal 59(1), pp 1 - 49, and DNA mapping
of the family Nymphalidae by Wahlberg et al, whereby the
Subfamilies Nymphalinae, Heliconiinae, Limenitidinae,
Cyrestinae and Apaturinae are now applicable to the Singapore
checklist. The family Riodinidae, which was earlier placed as
a subfamily of Lycaenidae, has also been reinstated to the
family level.